The John’s Pass Village Activity Center plan has been a issue, with residents and property owners weighing in with their views. While one property owner stressed the plan’s importance for protecting existing structures from storm damage and maintaining the area’s quaintness, others voiced concerns about the ambiguous nature of the Activity Center designation and the potential impact on the city’s density and infrastructure. The city staff’s presentation of the plan underscored its goals to protect the village character, ensure compatibility with existing development, and maintain consistency with local land use plans. The proposed changes to densities, intensities, and zoning regulations were designed to align with the countywide plan and correct previous inconsistencies.

During the meeting, several residents expressed concerns about the John’s Pass Village Activity Center plan’s potential to increase population density above the county average. The debate extended to the size of the proposed changes, limitations on development, and the impact on design and infrastructure. Some residents were concerned about the timing of the meeting, which may have limited attendance and participation, particularly among John’s Pass store owners.

The discussion on ordinance 2023 D1 revealed a range of opinions among the commissioners, with some supporting the ordinance’s goal of preserving John’s Pass as a key tourist destination, while others were worried about the increased density it might bring. A motion to amend the ordinance to lower the bonus maximum in the commercial core and the John’s Pass Resort was made but did not receive a second.

Other agenda items included a motion to adjust the floor area ratio for a specific area, which passed with a vote of four to one, and ordinance 20232, concerning the amendment of the future land use map designation of the city’s comprehensive plan. Despite a resident’s concerns about the capacity doubling of properties in the John’s Pass Resort area, the ordinance passed with the same four to one vote.

The commissioners also addressed ordinance 20243, which involved adopting code provisions about parking meter overtime. Following input from a member of the public recommending several clarifications and amendments, the commissioners decided to proceed with the ordinance, which passed unanimously.

Contracts and agreements were another key topic, with discussions on the code enforcement satellite office and the issuance of a request for proposal for its buildout at City Hall. Moreover, the commission approved negotiations with Molly Contracting Corporation for a construction project, a five-year agreement with Network People for IT support and consulting services, and the purchase of an ADA bus, potentially offset by grants.

Regarding property maintenance, the commission unanimously approved an easement for Condo A to maintain a sidewalk, and a resolution for the Statewide Mutual Aid agreement also received unanimous support. The upcoming workshop agenda was set, including zoning discussions, policy handbook review, and bids for city facility cleaning services and coastal groin restoration.